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Alice Best (née Taylor) (RB & Tu 01-06)
I was fortunate to be paired with David Sanger (SF 79-83). I founded a brand consultancy, Bolter 10 years ago, wearing two hats as a designer and business owner. Mentoring supported me meaningfully in both roles and through regular check-ins I’ve gained clarity and momentum. It helped me turn ambitious goals into manageable actions and approach them with greater determination and confidence. David fundamentally shifted my mindset around sales, to think more strategically about the future of the business, particularly our pipeline, revenue and long-term sustainability. Alongside his razor-sharp commercial insight, David’s encouragement and willingness to share hard-earned lessons have been invaluable. I’ve taken something from every conversation.
The opportunity to learn from someone who has gone before you is rare. The structure of regular meetings allows ideas to move beyond theory into action, creating real change in perspectives and results. David has been a true North Star - encouraging me to think bigger, lift my gaze to the horizon, understand what’s possible, and recognise opportunities and limitations with clarity. The most valuable aspect is the power of individual transformation achieved through a long-term mentoring partnership. The personal growth doesn’t stop with the individual; it ripples outward into teams, client relationships and the quality of daily conversations and decisions.
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David Sanger (SF 79-83)
I have gained an enormous amount, getting an insight into a small owner-run firm in the brand communications sector. I have had to learn much new information to understand the agency and the business sector it services, in greater detail, to be able to provide useful, constructive advice. I met Alice face to face several times, visited their HQ and met the team. We also arranged online zoom calls every 3-4 weeks. Alice is a talented, capable, hard-working business executive whom I greatly admire, and I think that our friendship will outlast the mentoring programme. I have also benefited when I have received Alice's positive feedback and thanks. It always feels good to know you are contributing and giving something back.
I would recommend the programme to mentees as they are likely to gain suggestions, tips and solutions to some of their business issues from an experienced mentor, who can provide a different and hopefully useful perspective. Mentees have the benefit of a capable consultant at no charge or fee like a non-executive director. The fact that this is an OR programme means both parties are likely to be working with like-minded executives, with similar educational and social backgrounds. I'd recommend the programme to mentors, because they will gain a stimulating insight into a new business, possibly in a new sector, and will be able to provide useful guidance, help their mentee to benefit and improve. The rules of engagement can be mutually set to provide maximum benefit, minimal disruption and at mutually convenient times. The monthly (or periodic) meetings can be online or face to face, or a combination.
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Emily Lauterpacht (T 11-16)
I signed up for mentoring looking for support with learning to manage a team. However, over the last 6 months I’ve decided I want to pivot my career, and subsequently found out that the business I work for is being acquired so we’re all being made redundant - not what me or my mentor were expecting to be talking about! Throughout these twists and turns, my mentor has been a brilliant sounding board, shared her experience, held me accountable and encouraged me to be kind to myself. She’s helped me make the most of my network and shared invaluable guidance on how to approach all sorts of intimidating conversations. I’m so grateful to have had this external advice and perspective.
I’d recommend mentoring because it creates time and space to reflect - something that most of us, myself included, struggle to make the time for. Knowing I have regular sessions encourages me to think more deliberately about my career in between meetings, and provides a sense of accountability that helps focus that reflection. Finding my mentor through the Rugbeian Society has meant I’ve met someone outside of my business, industry and usual network. This has made it easier to speak openly, without worrying about hidden agendas or conversations being shared elsewhere. This neutral space has given me the confidence to explore my options. Talking to someone with a different background and perspective has challenged my thinking and brought unexpected insights.
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Louisa Pratt (B 99 - 04)
For me the mentoring programme has been hugely valuable. I have learnt to listen more closely, to focus on asking questions and recognising just how valuable that can be for someone as they navigate different career challenges. It has been great learning experience for myself that you don’t always need to have the answers but with the right questions can help others find their way.
The benefit of this programme is that you have a common ground with Rugby school as a mutual experience. This offers a great start point to build from. It is a hugely fulfilling experience helping someone make big decisions and continue building their career.
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Anastacia Peters (St 17 - 19)
The mentoring programme has given me practical insight into the marketing industry and helped me better understand how to approach the early stages of my career. Navigating the corporate world on your own and working out which direction to take can be really tough!
The programme supported me across both practical and personal areas, from developing soft skills and refining my CV and cover letters to helping with hands on marketing questions, such as auditing a company’s social media accounts. My mentor also shared recommendations on books, lectures and skills to focus on, which has supported my development as a marketer. This guidance played a key role in helping me secure a role at a company I had been working towards for months.
Lastly, having a mentor to turn to for advice outside of the workplace has been invaluable. During a challenging time at work, being able to talk things through with someone experienced made a real difference.
I would recommend the programme because it provides support that is difficult to find elsewhere. Being clear about the type of mentor you are looking for really matters, as being well matched made a real difference to my experience. I found that the programme goes beyond one off advice and helps build a relationship that can continue as your career develops. Having someone outside of the workplace to speak to openly and honestly, and to ask questions you may not always feel comfortable raising at work, is extremely valuable. As careers are rarely straightforward, learning from someone’s experience makes navigating challenges far less overwhelming.
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Giles Jepson (SF 83 - 88)
For me, the programme's been valuable in a few ways. First, mentoring is quite different from coaching or managing, and having a structured environment to develop that skill with real feedback has been really useful. But honestly, beyond the skill building, it's just been genuinely rewarding. Getting to know Anastasia, watching her work through challenges and make progress towards her goals, that's been great. And I've had some unexpected insights along the way. When you put yourself in the shoes of someone early in their career and try to see the industry through their eyes, the barriers they're facing and opportunities they're seeing, it gives you a different perspective. That's actually been valuable in my own work. The other thing is reconnecting with the school and the Old Rugbeian community. I was really involved with hockey and cricket for about 10 years after I left, but then that dropped off. This has given me a way back into that, which I've appreciated more than I thought I would.
I think there's something really valuable about helping someone figure out their career path and navigate the challenges that come with it. The programme gives you a proper framework to do that, which is helpful. But you get a lot out of it too. Mentoring is its own skill set, quite different from managing or coaching, and you develop that through doing it. You also learn things about yourself. And if you lean into it, it'll push you in ways that are genuinely useful for your own development. For Old Rugbeians, it's also a good way to reconnect with the school and meet other ORs you wouldn't normally come across. I hadn't been involved much for years, and I've actually found that connection more valuable than I expected. Plus, it's enjoyable. There's something really satisfying about building that relationship with someone, watching them progress, and having conversations that are completely different from your normal day to day. I'd definitely recommend it if you're thinking about it.
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Lucy Cawkwell (Cr 89-91)
I had such a positive experience with the mentoring scheme. My mentor Adam has been attentive, kind, thoughtful and supportive. Our sessions have given me a space to raise issues, discuss problems and mull ideas without the fear of judgment. Adam has also introduced me to members of his network which has created exciting business opportunities.
I highly recommend this scheme. It is just so invigorating chatting with someone so wise and experienced in business. And it's been really fun to revisit my memories of my time at Rugby and acknowledge what a strong and powerful network the School creates.
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Adam Hacket (St 63-68)
I am enjoying mentoring a delightful person who founded and is developing an interesting business. Having myself founded and sold four businesses, I think I've been able to add confidence to my mentee and to provide that vital, independent and confidential sounding board.
I recommend mentoring to any one and particularly within the unique Rugbeian Community.
Being mentored offers independent, impartial advice from people who've learned many lessons in life, made mistakes and achieved success. Talking to an experienced person in confidence allows a mentee to unload thoughts and ideas without fear of any unwelcome repercussions.
